Riverside, KS to Leavenworth, KS is 331.5 miles and takes about 6h 29m via Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, with a fuel budget near $51 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape. With a highway share of 30%, expect a mix of faster travel and slower surface roads. This route is best suited for a single-day trip, allowing you to reach your destination efficiently without needing an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
165.7 miles from Riverside, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 32m into the drive
.
Exit 224Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, LeavenworthUse the slight right lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
238 ft·13 sec
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: LansingUse the straight / left lanes.
16
Turn left onto K-7
16 mi·23 min·K-7
Use the straight lane.
17
Turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
18
Turn right
277 ft·20 sec
19
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Given the 6h 29m estimated drive time, leaving Riverside, KS in the morning is recommended to maximize daylight. There's one stop suggested along the 331.5-mile route, so plan your breaks accordingly. With a fuel cost estimated at $51, ensure your tank is full before departing. The mix of highway and surface roads means paying attention to changing speed limits and traffic patterns, especially as you get closer to Leavenworth, KS.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 165.7 miles from Riverside, KS, or about 3h 32m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 90.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 73 miles or 1h 45m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 165.7 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 20m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Leavenworth, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
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Open the route before leaving Riverside, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
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Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
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Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Riverside, KS
This is one driving day of about 331.5 miles and 6h 29m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 73 miles from Riverside, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway for about 90.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 12
5 decision points cluster between mile 133.2 and 315.3 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
5
133.2 mi into trip|~2h 59m in
Take the ramp toward I-70 East, Salina
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Salina
6
273.4 mi into trip|~5h 22m in|I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Keep slight left at fork onto I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway toward I-70 East, Kansas City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I-70 East, Kansas City
8
314.5 mi into trip|~6h 3m in
Take the exit toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bonner Springs, Leavenworth
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 224
Toward KS 7, US 73, US 24 West, US 40 West: Bon...
8
315.3 mi into trip|~6h 5m in
Keep slight left at fork toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US 40 West: Lansing
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / left lanes.
Toward KS 7 North, US 73 North, US 24 West, US...
6
315.3 mi into trip|~6h 5m in|K-7
Turn left onto K-7
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$48.95 one way
$97.91 round trip
$3.75/gal25.4 MPG avg116 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.14
$54.04
$108.09
premium
$4.72
$61.55
$123.10
diesel
$4.80
$62.59
$125.19
Estimated Tolls: $2.02
Kansas Turnpike
(40.4 mi)$2.02
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$49
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$76–$101
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 116 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-07-13.
Driving Electric?
About $35 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
99.5
1
$34.81
$15.91
Efficient EV
82.9
0
$29.01
$13.26
EV Truck/SUV
132.6
1
$46.41
$21.22
Gas CO2
116 kg
EV CO2
39 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jul 17, 2026
Origin
Riverside, KS
Evening
in Riverside on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny
S 8 to 12 mph2% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Leavenworth, KS
Evening
in Leavenworth on Saturday
Local time
8:20 PM
CDT
Current temp
90°F
Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
SW 6 to 9 mph26% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
Very similar conditions
Both ends of the route are sitting at about the same temperature right now.
Road read
6h 29m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
4 mi from route
~10 min detour
Free
near mile 274.3
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll cover 331.5 miles on a mix of highway and surface roads, with 30% of the route on highways. The longest continuous stretch of highway driving is 90.3 miles along the Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. Expect to transition from highway speeds to surface road cruising as you approach your destination.
30% highway, the rest on surface roads — varied driving throughout.
19 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 90.3 mi on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
6/10
This route mixes highway mileage with some local-road sections near the start or finish. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 133.2 miles in.
Driving Effort6/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 331.5 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 133.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
2,206 ft841 ft
Total Climb
168 ft
Total Descent
1,516 ft
Highest Point
2,206 ft
~23.7 mi in
Elevation Range
1,365 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Riverside, KS and Leavenworth, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Kansas City.
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas.
Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Top landmarks
•Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center — historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
•Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth — building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
•Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 6h 29m. Total distance: 331.5 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
6h 29m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mixed highway & surface route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 90.3 miles on Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.02 in tolls one way, starting with Kansas Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 21 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Leavenworth, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 1 meaningful breaks. There are 21 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 133.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 273.4 miles (I 70 / Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 314.5 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 6.5 hours each way, a round trip means 13.0 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Leavenworth, KS before the return drive.
